Plane Forced to Turn Around After Crew, Passengers Feel Wind Flow from Missing Windows at 14,500 Feet
Passenger Aircraft Forced to Turn Around After Crew and Passengers Experience Wind Flow from Missing Windows at 14,500 Feet
A thrilling incident unfolded last month when a passenger aircraft departing from London and bound for Florida had to make an unexpected U-turn due to complaints from passengers. According to an investigation report by the U.K.’s Air Accidents Investigation Branch, the incident occurred on October 4th. The Airbus A321-253NX, carrying a total of 20 people, took off from London Stansted Airport en route to Orlando.
Shortly after takeoff, passengers on the flight started complaining about the temperature and the unusually loud noise inside the cabin. The report states, “Several passengers recalled that after takeoff the aircraft cabin seemed noisier and colder than they were used to.” The loadmaster, who was seated near the passengers, noticed the increased cabin noise as he walked towards the back of the aircraft. He observed that one of the cabin windows on the left side of the plane had a flapping seal and a slipped-down windowpane.
The noise near the windows was described as “loud enough to damage your hearing.” In response, the pilot quickly descended to a lower altitude before deciding to land the aircraft. After 36 minutes in the air, the plane safely touched down in London without incident.
Investigation Reveals Surprising Cause of Window Issues
Upon inspection, investigators discovered that two window panes were missing, and a third had been dislodged. Remarkably, despite the missing windows, the plane’s cabin never lost pressure. The investigation revealed that the integrity of the rear windows had been compromised by bright floodlights used to film the aircraft the day before the flight. The AAIB’s Twitter account shared an image of the floodlights illuminating the plane.
A Special Bulletin concerning damage to several cabin windows on an Airbus A321-253NX (G-OATW) which departed London Stansted Airport on 4 Oct 2023 has been publishedhttps://t.co/kgHLtV9gHK pic.twitter.com/Ew3MvQ7N9T
— AAIB (@aaibgovuk) November 3, 2023
The report stated that the floodlights were shone through the cabin windows to create the illusion of a sunrise during filming. The lights were focused on the cabin windows just aft of the overwing exits for several hours. As a result, the windows sustained thermal damage and distortion, leading to the window issues experienced during the flight.
Investigators concluded that if the damage had been more severe or if the window integrity had been compromised at higher pressure differentials, the consequences could have been much more serious.
The investigation into this incident is still ongoing.
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How did the thermal damage to the cabin windows occur during the filming of the aircraft?
Passenger safety is of utmost importance in the aviation industry, and any incident that compromises the well-being of crew and passengers must be thoroughly investigated. Recently, a thrilling incident unfolded when a passenger aircraft had to make an unexpected U-turn due to complaints from passengers about wind flow from missing windows at 14,500 feet. This incident took place on October 4th, involving an Airbus A321-253NX departing from London Stansted Airport, bound for Orlando, Florida.
Shortly after takeoff, passengers onboard the flight started to voice their concerns about the temperature and an unusually loud noise inside the cabin. The Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) of the U.K. conducted an investigation into the matter and reported that “several passengers recalled that after takeoff, the aircraft cabin seemed noisier and colder than they were used to.”
Upon investigation, it was discovered that one of the cabin windows on the left side of the aircraft had a flapping seal and a slipped-down windowpane. The loadmaster, who was seated near the passengers, noticed the increased cabin noise as he walked towards the back of the plane. The noise near the windows was described as “loud enough to damage your hearing.” In response, the pilot decided to quickly descend to a lower altitude before opting to turn the aircraft around. The plane safely landed back in London after 36 minutes in the air, ensuring the safety of all passengers and crew.
The investigation conducted by the AAIB revealed a surprising cause for the missing windows. It was found that two window panes were completely missing, and a third had been dislodged. However, despite the missing windows, the cabin did not lose pressure, and the safety of the passengers was not compromised. The integrity of the rear windows had been compromised due to thermal damage caused by bright floodlights used during the filming of the aircraft the day before the flight. An image shared by the AAIB’s Twitter account showcased the floodlights illuminating the plane.
The report stated that the floodlights were used to create the illusion of a sunrise during filming, and the lights were focused on the cabin windows just aft of the overwing exits for several hours. This resulted in thermal damage and distortion of the windows, leading to the issues faced during the flight.
Investigators noted that if the damage had been more severe or if the window integrity had been compromised at higher pressure differentials, the consequences could have been much more serious. The investigation into this incident is still ongoing, and further measures will be taken to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
Passenger safety is a top priority for airlines and aviation authorities, and incidents like this emphasize the need for rigorous inspections and maintenance procedures to ensure the integrity and functionality of all components of an aircraft. The aviation industry will continue to learn from such incidents and implement necessary measures to guarantee the safety and well-being of all passengers and crew.
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